Poly[(2-cinnamoylethyl methacrylate)-random-(2-octanoylethyl methacrylate)]-block-poly(acrylic acid) [P(CEMA-r-OEMA)-b-PAA] forms micelles in water with P(CEMA-r-OEMA) as the core and PAA as the shell. POEMA is incorporated into the micellar cores. After PCEMA cross-linking, POEMA is extracted to produce porous water-soluble P(CEMA-r-OEMA)-b-PAA nanospheres. The porous nanospheres sorb a significantly higher amount of perylene from water/acetone and water/acetone/DMSO mixtures than the nonporous P(CEMA-r-OEMA)-b-PAA nanospheres.