TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2 NTs) are fabricated by anodic oxidation of titanium in NH4Cl + H2O and NH4F + HOCH2CH2OH electrolytes respectively, then TiO2 NTs coated with Tb3+ doped SiO2 films (Tb-SiO2/TiO2 NTs) are prepared by sol-gel method and dip-coating process. The luminescence properties of Tb-SiO2/TiO2 NTs are investigated by fluorescence spectrometer. Results show that TiO2 NTs can improve the luminescence properties of Tb-SiO2, especially the TiO2 NTs fabricated in NH4Cl + H2O electrolyte. The emission intensity of Tb-SiO2 on the TiO2 NTs fabricated in NH4Cl + H2O electrolyte is five times to that on the pure titanium sheet. Additionally, the effect of TiO2 NTs preparation conditions on the Tb-SiO2 luminescence properties is analyzed in detail, and the luminescence enhancement mechanism of Tb-SiO2 on TiO2 NTs is explained. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.