Using seed-mediated and photochemical reduction approach in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), Ag nanowires with diameters of 50～120 nm and lengths up to ～50 μm and elegant silver dendrites were prepared at room temperature. It was found that experimental conditions including the molar ratio of PVP to AgNO₃, the volume of silver seeds, and the reaction time all play influential roles in the formation of silver nanostructures. The mechanisms of formation of those silver nanostructures were discussed preliminarily.

Key words: silver nanowire, silver nanodendrite, UV irradiation, seed0ediated, PVP