Using seed-mediated and photochemical reduction approach in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), polycrystalline Ag nanowires with diameters of 35-120 nm and lengths up to similar to50 mum and elegant silver dendrites were prepared at room temperature. Additionally, PVP/silver nanocables were synthesized at the same time. It was found that experimental conditions including the molar ratio of PVP to AgNO3, the volumes of silver seeds, and the reaction time all play influential roles in the formation of silver nanostructures. The mechanism of formation of those silver nanostructures was also discussed in detail. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.