Three nonylphenylpolyoxyethylene glycol ethers (oxyethylation degree 3-6) as non-ionic surfactants were added to aq. soln. of ZnCl2 and Na2SiO3 during pptn. of an ZnO-SiO2 oxide system. The composites were studied for bulk d., water and paraffin oil absorption capacities, particle size distribution (polydispersity), chem. compn., sp. surface area, size and volume of pores, surface morphol., and microstructure. Moreover, the colorimetric characteristics of the oxide composites and profiles of their sedimentation were detd. The addn. of surfactants (1-3% by mass) resulted in an improvement of the product quality.