Preparation and luminescence properties of Tb3+ doped SiO2 film on TiO2 nanotube arrays

► Tb-doped SiO2 films on TiO2 nanotube arrays were prepared by anodization sol-gel method. ► The SiOTi chemical bond was formed in the interface between Tb-doped SiO2 films and TiO2 nanotube arrays. ► TiO2 nanotube arrays fabricated in NH4Cl + H2O electrolytes improved the luminous efficiency of Tb-doped SiO2 films.