In this work, using a fluorescent poly(phenylene ethynylene) containing the rigid pentiptycene and large cholesteryl ester pendent groups, the fluorescence quenching properties of the polymer thin films in response to vapor of 2,4-dinitrotulene (DNT) have been investigated by varying the film thickness, applying an undercoating and blending with another polar polymer. A significant change in fluorescence intensity (51% in 60 s) in response to DNT vapor exposure at ambient temperature was achieved when the polymer film coated on glass plate was about 2 nm in thickness. In comparison with the film of polymer alone, the film undercoated with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and the film of polymer blend containing a non-fluorescent polymer showed additional 18.5% (in 20-s exposure) and 18.7% (in 5-min exposure) decrease in fluorescence intensity, respectively. The use of polymer or polymer blend coated on optic-fiber tip for detection of DNT vapor has also been demonstrated. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.