The work aims to prepare a dense composite ceramic layer on ZrH1.8 surface by changing the composition of electrolyte through micro-arc oxidation technology. ZrH1.8 was micro-arc oxidized through CV mode by adding CeO2 particle inelectrolyte. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD), coating thickness gauge, coating adhesion automatic scratching device were used to analyze the surface and cross section morphologies, phase structure, coating thickness and adhesion between ceramic layer and substrate of the ceramic layer. The compactness of ceramic layer was analyzed with the Archimedes drainage method. CeO2 particles were contributive to the growth of ceramic layer. The adhesion between ceramic layer and the substrateof the ceramic layer added with CeO2 particles from 81 N to 104 N compared with the ceramic layer without CeO2 particles. From XRD analysis, the ceramic layer had CeO2 characteristic peak and CeO2 was successfully adhered to the ceramic layer surface during micro-arc oxidation. The porosity of the ceramic layer without CeO2 particles was 14.22%, while the porosity of the ceramic layer with CeO2 particles reduced to 5.79%. The CeO2 particlescan effectively improve the adhesion between ZrH1.8 and ceramic layer and reduce the porosity of the ceramic layer to make the micro-arc oxidation ceramic layer on ZrH1.8 surface more compact.