Without using any surfactants, new hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes containing beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) moieties were prepared by solution polymerization of styrene (St), maleic anhydride esterified beta-CD (beta-CD-MAH) and acryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (AETAC). Introducing the St moieties as well as reducing the cationic AETAC moieties onto the backbone of copolymer was effective to obtain the polyelectrolyte with obviously improved hydrophobicity. Its chemical composition was confirmed by FT-IR and H-1 NMR spectra. As a new flocculant, it had enhanced properties in decolorizing the C.I. reactive violet 5 solutions, i.e. faster decolorization speed, stronger resistance against inorganic salt, more flexibility of pH and wider flocculation window. For the given flocculant/dye solution system, apart from such roles as polymer bridging, electrostatic and covalent bonds, hydrophobic effect contributed to the flocculated decolorization mechanism. But their playing in role was dominated by the dye's chemical structure and flocculation conditions, especially the temperature and pH. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.