Fabrication of small-sized silver NPs/graphene sheets for high-quality surface-enhanced Raman scattering

► Ag nanoparticles supported on graphene nanosheets are fabricated via etching Cu template. ► The used graphene is prepared via an in situ generating template route. ► The obtained Ag nanoparticles have small size and high dispersion. ► Distinctive SERS activity is due to small size of Ag and interfacial action. ► The discovery will expand the application of small-sized Ag to SERS.