Graphite powders were coated with ZrO₂ by the controlled hydrolysis of a DI water, ethanol and DI water+ethanol solutions. The hydrolysis process was carried out with temperature control because of the low wettability of Zr ions to the surface of the graphite. PVA was added to the solution for the enhancement of metal ion adsorption. The surface of the graphite powders coated with ZrO₂ was observed by SEM and TEM. There are two types of ZrO₂ particles with the condition of ZrOCl₂°§8H₂O aqueous solutions were used; (a) primary particles a few nm in size and (b) secondary particles with ∼0.1 ㎛ size were obtained. The graphite powders coated in 50% ethanol-50% DI water solution of Zr(SO₄)₂ㆍ4H₂O have the relatively uniform coating layer and the starting temperature of oxidation was 100℃ higher than the raw graphite.