Chitosan-β-cyclodextrin composite flocculants dual-drive for efficient microalgae harvesting: structural evidences, dehydration process, E-DLVO model behavior and biomass utilization

•The harvesting efficiency of CTS/β-CD-1 for microalgae could reach 99.91%;•The effect of CTS/β-CDs with different structural properties on microalgae harvesting process was investigated;•CTS/β-CDs harvesting facilitated the subsequent dewatering process of microalgae flocs;•Electrostatic interactions and bridging were the main harvesting mechanism between CTS/β-CD-1 and Chlorella vulgaris.