A novel ZnO fluorescent film has been successfully fabricated by dipping a glass substrate into the N, N-dimethylformamide aqueous solution of Zn(Ac)(2) at low temperature (50 degrees C), then aged for 24 h in ZnO colloid dispersion. The morphology, structure, room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra and gas sensing measurement were used to characterize the film. It has been demonstrated that the glass slide is the promising substrate for the deposition of ZnO particles, and there are almost uniformly distributed nano-particles on the surface of the substrates. It has been also revealed that the photoluminescence emission of the film is selectively sensitive to the presence of amine, a possible explanation from the aspect of the sensing mechanism was proposed. The detection limit for amine vapor is calculated 162.0 ppm. Importantly, the response is reversible. Accordingly, it is anticipated that the film may be developed into amine sensor device. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.