Field electron emission from various carbon nanomaterials catalytically synthesized in liquid methanol was measured to determine the relation between the emission properties and the morphology. The carbon nanomaterials with specific morphologies including fibriform, particlelike, and flakelike nanostructures were prepared at different temperatures ranging from 600 to 1000 degrees C. Field electron emission characteristics of the synthesized carbon nanomaterials were measured by using diode-type electrodes in a high-vacuum chamber. Low threshold electric fields in the range from 1.2 to 2.1 V mu m(-1) were obtained from the carbon nanomaterials. Lower threshold electric fields of 1.2-1.4 V mu m(-1) were observed in the fibriform nanostructured materials synthesized at 600 and 700 degrees C. Very stable emission currents were observed in the carbon nanomaterials with sp(2)-related high crystal quality grown at 900 degrees C. The authors found that the emission characteristics were strongly related to both the fine structure and crystallinity of the synthesized carbon nanomaterials.