An amphoteric water-soluble copolymer, that is, polyacrylanide/(alpha-N,N-dimethyl-N-acryloyloxyethyl)ammonium ethanate (PAAM/DAAE) was synthesized and it showed the ability to disperse BaTiO3 (BT) particles in aqueous solutions. In this work, the effect of molecular weight of this polymer on the dispersing properties was further examined. The results indicate that the effectiveness of three polymer samples with different molecular weights in the dispersion of BT particles is P2 (M-w = 1.1 X 10(5)) > P1 (M-w = 1.2 X 10(4)) > P3 (M = 3.0 X 10(5)). Apparently, P2 is most effective in dispersing the particles, reducing the viscosity of the suspensions, and obtaining highest green and sintered densities. This is attributed to the highest adsorption of this polymer onto BT powder, and causes strongest electrostatic and steric repulsions. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.