Chemical doping of Ag nanoparticles to dielectric medium becomes necessary to create an artificial structure which is useful for various applications, and gives rise to unique properties. Since structurally doped Ag nanoparticles is both of random and ordered, we have prepared Ag/Zr0.9Ni0.1Oy nanocomposites on the random status of this important class of materials. In doing so, effect of Ag content on the structure, electrical, magnetical and optical properties of Zr0.9Ni0.1Oy dielectric was investigated in detail. Characterization of chemically doped Ag also included. It was found that samples with 48 and 50 wt% Ag exhibit the double negative (DNG) properties. That is to say, simultaneous negative permittivity and negative permeability were realized in the Ag/Zr0.9Ni0.1Oy nanocomposites. We believe that the article will be useful to all those interested in DNG metamaterials and provides the present status of the subject. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.