Tamed synthesis of AgNPs for photodegradation and anti-bacterial activity: Effect of size and morphology

•Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) was reported utilizing AgNO3 as precursor and PVP as stabilizing agent in ethylene glycol.•Effect of concentration ratios of AgNO3 and PVP was examined on the morphology and size of AgNPs.•AgNPs were evaluated for their size dependent photocatalytic and antibacterial potential.•Small size AgNPs having high energy band gap exhibited improved photocatalytic potential for degradation of MB dye following pseudo first order kinetics.•AgNPs were found more active against gram-negative strains of bacteria.