A method is used to prepare silver nanoparticles in the form of a silver nanoparticle cellulosic polymeric composite. A cellulosic polymer, organic solvent having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of 100 C. to 500 C. and a Hansen parameter (.sub.T.sup.Polymer) equal to or greater than that of the cellulosic polymer, and a nitrogenous base are mixed to form a premix solution. Upon heating the premix solution to a temperature of at least 75 C., a solution of reducible silver ions is added that is equimolar or less in relation to the nitrogenous base. The weight ratio of reducible silver ions to the cellulosic polymer is 5:1 to 50:1. The resulting silver nanoparticle composite is cooled, isolated, and re-dispersed in an organic solvent, providing a non-aqueous silver-containing dispersion comprising the silver nanoparticle cellulosic polymeric composite.

A method is used to prepare silver nanoparticles in the form of a silver nanoparticle cellulosic polymeric composite. A cellulosic polymer, organic solvent having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of 100 C. to 500 C. and a Hansen parameter (.sub.T.sup.Polymer) equal to or greater than that of the cellulosic polymer, and a nitrogenous base are mixed to form a premix solution. Upon heating the premix solution to a temperature of at least 75 C., a solution of reducible silver ions is added that is equimolar or less in relation to the nitrogenous base. The weight ratio of reducible silver ions to the cellulosic polymer is 5:1 to 50:1. The resulting silver nanoparticle composite is cooled, isolated, and re-dispersed in an organic solvent, providing a non-aqueous silver-containing dispersion comprising the silver nanoparticle cellulosic polymeric composite.