Spray drying had been used to synthesize silica-carbon black nanocomposite micrometric granules with auniform distribution of the two components. This was achieved by hindering the preferential diffusion ofhydrophobic carbon and hydrophilic silica particles in the water droplets during evaporative assembly byintroducing gum arabic as a stabilizing agent and network former. Both positive and negatively chargedsilica nanoparticles were used to check the stability of the sol and its effect on the morphology of thespray dried granules. X-ray and neutron scattering, complemented with electron microscopy, were usedto investigate the correlation and distribution of the nanoparticles within the granules. Porous silicagranules, having surface area of 157 m²/g, were obtained after removal of carbon black by calcination.An environment-friendly solar absorbing coating had been prepared using as synthesized granules.