Starting from core-shell zirconium carbide powders, a covalent grafting was described, using a direct nucleophilic substitution in diethyl ether. Thus, two different organic molecules were attached onto the surface of the ceramic, through Si-O-Zr and C-O-Zr bonds. The materials were characterized by means of TEM and XPS characterizations. These new systems could represent an original route to elaborate zirconium carbide-based hybrid materials. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.