Constructing smart nano-systems for intracellular delivery of functional proteins has been endeavored for diverse biomedical applications, but suffered daunting challenges. Herein silica nanospheres entrapped with photoluminescent CaF2: Tm, Yb nanocrystals were synthesized and decorated with amino molecules for protein delivery. Amino-modified nanospheres presented high protein loading capacity and sustained release phenomenon. The photoluminescence of particles highly corresponded to protein release progress. The preliminary in-vitro study confirmed markedly enhanced cell up-taking efficiency of protein molecules with the nanocomposite developed. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.