Carboxymethyl chitosan/phospholipid bilayer-capped mesoporous carbon nanoparticles with pH-responsive and prolonged release properties for oral delivery of the antitumor drug, Docetaxel

•A novel carboxymethyl chitosan/phospholipid bilayer-capped mesoporous carbon nanomatrix (CCS/PL/MC) was fabricated.•The feasibility of CCS/PL/MC as an oral anticancer drug delivery system was studied.•CCS/PL/MC nanoparticles possess a pH-sensitivity and prolonged releasing ability.•The mechanism of modulating the in vitro drug release and improving the drug solubility was investigated.•CCS/PL/MC nanoparticles might improve intracellular drug delivery.