The solubility and viscosity properties of new amphoteric graft copolymers of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose with acrylamide and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate in aqueous solutions were investigated by turbidimetry and viscometry experiments. The factors investigated include the pH of the medium, the composition of the graft copolymer, the concentration and type of added salt, temperature, aging time, and the addition of organic solvent. Unlike conventional copolymers, these graft copolymers have unique solution behavior due to the presence of both acidic and basic groups along the macromolecular backbone. In addition, their solution properties are closely related to their conformations and are partially controlled by the net electrical charge and the ionic strength. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.