A method is used to prepare silver nanoparticle cellulosic polymer composites. A cellulosic polymer, reducible silver ions in an amount of a weight ratio to the cellulosic polymer of 5:1 to 50:1, and an organic solvent are mixed. Each organic solvent has a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of 100° C. to 500° C. The Hansen parameter (δTPolymer) of the cellulosic polymer is less than or equal to the Hansen parameter (δTSolvent) of the organic solvent. The resulting premix solution is heated to at least 75° C., and a (d) nitrogenous base is added to provide a concentration of the nitrogenous base in an equimolar amount or in molar excess in relation to the amount of reducible silver ions, thereby forming a silver nanoparticle cellulosic polymer composite. After cooling, the silver nanoparticle cellulosic polymer composite is isolated and re-dispersed in an organic solvent to provide a non-aqueous silver-containing dispersion.