A porous andesite-stabilized nZVI (CMC) composite for efficiently removing Cd(II) and Pb(II) from electroplating wastewater

for Cd(II). It outperformed commercial activated carbon in real wastewater, achieving >82% removal for both metals, and retained >85% capacity after 5-week storage. Column tests and cost analysis support its practical potential. This work presents AM-nZVI-CMC as a dual-stabilized, cost-effective composite that integrates physical confinement and chemical protection to overcome the inherent limitations of nZVI. Its superior performance in real wastewater, excellent storage stability, and favorable economics highlight its potential as a practical alternative for heavy metal remediation.