Well-defined silver dendrites were successfully prepared in DNIF solution containing poly(N-vinly-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) as the stabilizer under microwave irradiation. Morphology similar to those of the DLA model fractal dimensions around 1.7 has been observed in our systems. It was found that microwave power and the existence of PVP played important roles in the formation of well-defined silver dendrites. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The proposed formation mechanism of dendrites was also investigated. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.