A novel silver nanostructure with a chainlike fractal network was self-organized synthesized via a simple solvo-thermal process by using poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as the coordination reagent. X-ray diffraction indicated that the chainlike fractal networks are of face centered cubic structure. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the diameters of the chain are around 100-150 nm. A Cayley fractal tree model was proposed to explain the formation of fractal. geometry. It can be expected that the solvothermal method would be also appropriate for the preparation of such nanostructures for other metals. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.