Tetrapod-like zinc oxide whisker has a special three-dimensional structure, with an excellent comprehensive performance as the zinc oxide whisker,, therefore, it has attracted a widespread interest. A large number of recent domestic and foreign patents on tetrapod-like zinc oxide whisker were reviewed in this paper, and the research progress of the preparation methods, its various areas and the modified methods of tetrapod-like zinc oxide whisker are systemically summarized, the potential of tetrapod-like zinc oxide whisker is demonstrated, and the trends of tetrapod-like zinc oxide whisker on the patent protection are indicated.