YBa2Cu3Oy (YBCO) films with BaZrO3 (BZO) particles were fabricated on LaAlO3 (00l) single crystal substrates by benzoate modified trifluoroacetate metal organic deposition (modified TFA-MOD). The influences of BZO particles on the texture, microstructure and the flux pinning properties of YBCO films were discussed. At high level of BZO doping, the BZO particles were considered to play an important role in the formation of a-axis oriented YBCO grains and the degradation of texture. When the optimal BZO content was 5%, the BZO particles as the flux pinning centers could significantly improve the critical current density (J(c)) and flux pinning force (F-p) of BZO-doped YBCO film. J(c) value of YBCO + 5%BZO film was about 4.9 MA/cm(2) at 77 K and 0 T, and the highest F-p value (F-p(max)) was about 4.3 GN/m(3) at 77 K. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.