Comparative study of the Ag/PVP nanocomposites synthesized in water and in ethylene glycol

► Ag nanocomposites were synthesized in water and ethylene glycol with solution chemistry method. ► The Mean diameter was found to be 3.4 and 5.3 nm for water and in ethylene glycol. ► Characteristic absorption peak was found to be 435 and 445 nm in water and ethylene glycol. ► The zone of inhibition for the two types of nanocomposites was almost similar (16 mm). ► Nanocomposites in water with smaller size showed a slightly better antibacterial action.