Polymer-matrix materials and methods for making same

The present invention relates to a polymer-matrix material including a non-ionic solid matrix and a polymer, wherein the polymer is present on a surface of the non-ionic solid matrix and within an interior bulk of the non-ionic solid matrix. The present invention also relates to methods for forming a polymer within a non-ionic solid matrix. These methods include transporting a polymer precursor or a polymerizing reagent on and into the non-ionic solid matrix and exposing the non-ionic solid matrix to a polymerizing reagent or polymer precursor, respectively, under conditions effective to polymerize the polymer precursor within the non-ionic solid matrix.