The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and N,N,N,N cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on co-deposition of B 4C nanoparticles with Zn was investigated. The Zn–B 4C composite coating was fabricated from solution containing ZnSO 4, B 4C nanoparticles, and a surfactant. The concentration of surfactants, B 4C particles and Zn salts was optimized by Hull cell studies. The cathodic polarization and cyclic voltammograms were recorded for deposition process. The structure and morphology of coating were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) techniques. The influence of B 4C and surfactants on preferred orientation of Zn was calculated. The corrosion resistance property of Zn–B 4C composite produced in the presence of surfactants was measured and compared with bare Zn deposit.