Facile synthesis of novel fluorescent phenol formaldehyde resin nanospheres for drug release

A highly-efficient nano-medical carrier system was constructed for drug release based on a facile synthesis, excellent fluorescence, and structure of phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR). The PFR was easily synthesized through a simple one-step hydrothermal reaction, reduction and etching process, and a silane coupling agent modification process. The multiple functionalized drug delivery system, defined as PFR-NH₂@DOX was constructed by loading Adriamycin (DOX) into PFR. Drug release results in vitro displayed a DOX content of 145 mg g⁻¹ prodrug nanosphere has excellent pH-triggered drug release (about 84.71%) within 72 h at pH 5 solution. The fluorescence recovery of PFR after DOX release indicates the potential application in fluorescence imaging and controlled drug release.