Graphite powders were coated with ZrO2 by the controlled hydrolysis of a zirconium oxychloride aqueous solution. The hydrolysis process was carried out with temperature control because of the low wettability of ZrO2 to the surface of the graphite. PVA was added to the solution for the enhancement of Zr ion adsorption. The surface of the graphite particles coated with ZrO2 was observed by TEM. There are two types of ZrO2 particles; (a) primary particles a few nm in size and (b) secondary particles with similar to 0.1 mu m size were obtained. The data of oxidation weight loss and surface potential show that the graphite surface was successfully modified by the forced hydrolysis of the zirconium chloride aqueous solution.