Results of structure investigations of hybrid material synthesized on the basis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and nanocrystalline zirconia matrix are presented. Material synthesis includes the following steps: simultaneous dispergation of nanotubes with ceramic precursor, hydrothermal treatment of the suspension, supercritical drying of formed wet gels followed by calcination in vacuum and hot press sintering. By means of Raman spectroscopy it was revealed that at the stage of simultaneous sonication of nanocarbons with ceramic precursor there is significant shift of G-peak, characterizing the in-plane oscillations of carbon atoms, as well as increasing of D- and G-band amplitudes in the material after calcination and hot press sintering. TEM study illustrates the structure of synthesized material that is a 3D net of carbon nanotubes with numerous contact points with each other fixed by ceramic nanocrystallites. There are also carbon nanotubes decorated with thin layers of ceramics in the material. Obtained data evidence the formation of additional links between the components in the material and functionalization of nanocarbon, occurring at the stage of simultaneous dispergation of nanocarbon and ceramic precursor suspension and which is preserved after thermal treatment and hot press sintering. Synthesized material is of interest as ionized gas-permeable electrochemical membrane with mixed conductivity type for gas sensors or water purification applications