Enhanced band bending materials for use in rectifying contacts comprising metal nanoparticles and a semiconducting polymer that is soluble in common organic solvents including, for example, a gold-polymeric nanocomposite comprising gold nanoparticles in poly(m-phenylenevinylene-co-2,5-dioctoxy-p-phenlenevinylene( ("PmPV"). The nanocomposite material provides for enhanced Schottky barriers.