Disclosed herein are composite materials, ionic liquid compositions for preparing the composite materials, and methods for using the composite materials prepared from the ionic liquid compositions. The composite materials typically include structural polymers and nitric oxide releasing agents, and preferably photo-reactive nitric oxide releasing compounds or complexes. The composite materials may be prepared from ionic liquid compositions comprising the structural polymers and the nitric oxide releasing agent, where the ionic liquid is removed from the ionic liquid compositions to obtain the composite materials. The composite materials may be used in applications include dressing for wounds, where the nitric oxide releasing agents may be induced to release nitric oxide in order to inhibit microbial growth and promote healing.
