Photophysical properties and sensory capabilities of Acridine Orange (AO) have been studied in absence and presence of biomimicking anionic SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) micellar nanocage at various pH, where Cu2+ is introduced as sensing input. In pure aqueous system, AO fluorescence intensity quenched and enhanced by Cu2+ at pH similar to 2 and pH similar to 8, respectively. In presence of SDS micelle AO fluorescence intensity quenched by Cu2+ at both pH similar to 2 and pH similar to 8. Sensing [i.e. quenching] efficiency has been enhanced in presence of SDS micelle by similar to 150 times at pH similar to 2 and similar to 250 times at pH similar to 8, when compared with pure aqueous system. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.