  We present results of an x-ray study of structural properties of
semicrystalline polymer films using nanofocused x-ray beam. We applied the
x-ray cross-correlation analysis (XCCA) to scattering data from blends of
poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) embedded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).
Spatially resolved maps of orientational distribution of crystalline domains
allow us to distinguish sample regions of predominant face-on morphology,with a
continuous transition to edge-on morphology. The average size of crystalline
domains was determined to be of the order of 10 nm. As compared to pristine
P3HT film, the P3HT/AuNPs blend is characterized by substantial ordering of
crystalline domains, which can be induced by Au nanoparticles. The
inhomogeneous structure of the polymer film is clearly visualized on the
spatially resolved nanoscale 2D maps obtained using XCCA. Our results suggest
that the observed changes of the polymer matrix within crystalline regions can
be attributed to nanoconfinement in the presence of gold nanoparticles.
