pH responsive poly(N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(MBA-AAc)) one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) loaded P(MBA-AAc) nanowires have been successfully synthesized via silver metallogel template copolymerization, and subsequently template removal or silver ions reduction, respectively. The Ag NPs with a diameter of 4-10 nm were exclusively dispersed throughout the P(MBA-AAc) nanowires. The size and distribution of the formed Ag NPs could be controlled by reduction time. The pH-responsive behaviors of P(MBA-Mc) 1D nanostructures at various molar ratios of MBA/AAc were investigated. Their adsorption and release of methylene blue (MB), as well as the photodegradation of MB catalyzed by Ag NPs loaded P(MBA-AAc) nanowires were all significantly dependent on the pH values of MB solution. The Ag NPs loaded P(MBA-AAc) nanowires could effectively catalyze the photodegradation of MB and the photodegradation rate of MB at pH 7 was almost four times than that at pH 2.2. (c) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.