Large and uniform tetrapod-like ZnO whiskers(T-ZnO)were prepared from waste hot dipping zinc by vapor oxidation and examined by means of X-ray diffraction and ICP AES analysis and scanning electron microscope. The products are pure hexagonal wurtzite crystals with tetrapod shape and edge size of center body 5-6 m and needie length of 100-130"m. The size and shape of ZnO particles are fully controlled by the growth conditioas and TZn0 can be obtained only at 850-1 000℃ and total gas flow rate ranging from 40 to 250 L •h-1 in which the size of the T-ZnO particles varies slightly with temperature. The process of the formation of T-ZnO is that T-ZnO may nucleate at the initial stage with a complete tetrapod shape and develop to the large size. but not the process of preferential growth of octahedral nuclei and subsequent growth of the needles. The experiment presents a new meth-od to prepare T-ZnO economically by using the waste hot dipping zinc.