An electrically bistable body for use in electronic devices wherein the bistable body is converted from a low conductivity state to a high conductivity state. The bistable body includes a polymer matrix in which a sufficient amount of capped nanoparticles are dispersed so that the bistable body is converted from a low conductivity state to a high conductivity state upon application of an electrical field. The capped nanoparticles are metal nanoparticles that have been coated with an aromatic thiol.