Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reduction method using ascorbic acid as reductant and PVA as surfactant and studied the pH influence on the structural, compositional and optical properties of silver nanoparticles. Broadened XRD peaks confirmed the formation of small nanosized silver nanoparticles with face centered cubic (FCC) structure. The particle size decreased with increasing pH value. We have observed blue shift of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) band from optical absorption spectra. The obtained nanoparticles were well dispersed in water, ethanol and polar solvents and thus more suitable for biocompatible. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.