A nano-silver footwear orthotic includes at least two removable inserts.
The footwear orthotic and/or the at least two removable inserts are
composed of a nano-silver copolymer being copolymer with silver
nano-particles therein. In one aspect, the copolymer is a thermoplastic
elastomer. The nano-silver copolymer has anti-microbial effects and
ensures biocompatibility with known undesirable microorganisms.
Corresponding manufacturing processes prepare the silver nano-particles
with a silver nitrate solution and a sodium borohydride solution and add
the silver nano-particles to a master batch and a base material to form
the nano-silver copolymer in a mold cavity. The mold cavity may be
constructed to form the nano-silver footwear orthotic and/or a removable
insert therein. Alternatively, the nano-silver copolymer may be formed
within the nano-silver footwear orthotic itself to form a removable
insert. Tests showing the content of silver nano-particles in a
silver--copolymer mixture and corresponding antimicrobial effect tests
show antimicrobial effects against bacteria known to cause foot odor and
itchiness.