Two types of agglomerates powder with grain sizes in the submicron- /nano-range were used as the feedstock to deposit yttria partially stabilized zirconia (YPSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The dual modal submicron-coating and multi-modal nano-coating were fabricated. The results from thermal shock test indicated that, due to the weak bond and higher densification rate of unmelted nano-particles in the nano-coating, the interface between recrystallization zone and unmelted nano-particles linked up, which resulted in the decrease of content of unmelted nano-particles from 13% to 7%. The weak bond and higher shrinking rate of nano-particles led to the formation of coarse cracks that ran along the recrystallization zone/unmelted nano-particles interfaces. These cracks caused the premature failure of nano-coating. The submicron-coating can overcome the inherent deficiencies of nano-coating at high temperatures and show a higher thermal shock resistance, it is expected to become a candidate for high-performance TBCs. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.