Synthesis of worm like silver nanoparticles in methyl cellulose polymeric matrix and its catalytic activity

► Environmentally benign methyl cellulose is being used as soft template for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. ► Worm like silver nanoparticles has been synthesized through a facile one step process. ► Worm shaped silver nanoparticles show strong catalytic activity compare to spherical particle in the reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol in presence of NaBH4.