ZnO-CeO2/SBA-15 catalysts were prepared by two kinds of solid-state grinding method and used for the production of 1,3-butadiene (1,3-BD) from ethanol. A mixture of SBA-15 (with or without organic template) and metal precursors were ground in solid-state. The obtained catalysts were characterized by TG, N2 adsorption-desorption, TEM, XRD, Py-FTIR and NH3-TPD techniques. Superior dispersion of metal oxides and more exposed acid sites were achieved on the catalyst 10Zn1Ce5-AS with the presence of organic template in SBA-15 during the solid-state grinding process. The catalytic performance was evaluated in a fixed-bed reactor and a 1,3-butadiene selectivity of as high as 45％ is achieved. This is attributed to the coupling effect of Zn and Ce species in the mesopores of SBA-15, in which Zn promotes ethanol dehydrogenation and Ce enhances aldol-condensation, respectively. Additionally, solvent-free method inspires new catalyst synthesis strategy for the production of 1,3-butadiene from ethanol.