Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a widely-used sensing method for the identification of molecules at low concentration. It is based on the amplification of molecular Raman signals by suitably designed substrates. Cellulose-based papers are appealing substrates for SERS, thanks to their capability of both incorporating Raman-enhancing structures and their flexibility. In this context, Pin Lv et al. have designed a hybrid graphene oxide (GO) - cellulose paper that is combined with Ag nanoparticles (NPs). The GO - cellulose paper is prepared by first creating a suitable structure in which the paper fiber skeleton is nested in the layered GO to provide good mechanical strength and toughness while maintaining the flexibility. The Ag NPs are subsequently added from an ink. The thereby obtained hybrid substrate shows excellent sensitivity to Rhodamine 6G solutions with concentrations as low as 10^-8 M. Enhancement of a factor 6 is observed compared with a glass substrate. GO enables a chemical enhancement due to the strong interaction between the aromatic rings of Rhodamine 6G and GO, and the Ag NPs provide an electromagnetic enhancement. Other advantages of this substrate are its low cost, long term conservation (the paper is stored separately from the ink) and reproducible preparation.

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