Abstract: The tetrapod-shaped ZnO whisker/poly(butylene succinate) (T-ZnO_W/PBS) composites were fabricated by melt-mixing method with PBS as the matrix and T-ZnO_W as the filler. The structure of surface modification T-ZnO_W was characterized by FTIR testing. The morphology of modification of T-ZnO_W and T-ZnO_W/PBS composites were available to observe by SEM testing. The crystallization properties of surface modification of T-ZnO_W and T-ZnO_W/PBS composites were availabled to discuss by XRD testing. The thermal stability of T-ZnO_W/PBS composites was availabled to analysis by TG and DSC. The mechanical properties of T-ZnO_W/PBS composites was availabled to study by tensile testing. The results show that among the three modifying agents including polyethylene glycol 2000 (PEG2000) (P), stearic acid (S) and silane coupling agent (KH560) (K), S performs the best. After S modification, the T-ZnO_W (ST-ZnO_W) surface has been loaded with organic groups. Not only the surface roughness of ST-ZnO_W increases, but also interfacial adhesion with the pure PBS, which makes the thermal stability and mechanical properties of ST-ZnO_W/PBS composites improved obviously. During the pyrolysis process, the temperatures at 10% mass loss (T_d-10%) and the value of the pyrolysis temperature (T_d-max) are increase by 37.7℃ and 35.3℃, respectively. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and elastic modulus are increase by 17.7%, 140.5%, and 95.4%, respectively, compared with the pure PBS.