In this paper, Ag, Ag-Cu and Ag-Cu2O nanoparticles were synthesized using a modified polyol method. Size, shape and composition of the obtained nanostructures were effectively controlled by adjusting the kinetic and thermodynamic conditions. Response surface methodology was employed to consider the interaction of parameters and to develop a polynomial equation for predicting the size of the silver nanoparticles. The precisely controlled silver nanoaprticles were used as the seeds for the formation of alloyed nanoparticles. By manipulating the involved parameters, both spherical and cubical Ag-Cu and Ag-Cu2O nanostructures are obtainable in the size range of 90-100 nm. The morphological, optical and compositional characteristics of the obtained nanostructures were studied using SEM, FE-SEM, UV-Vis, EDS and XRD. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.