What type of anode was primarily developed for use in seawater?

The primarily developed anode for use in seawater applications is platinum. Platinum anodes offer several advantages that make them particularly suitable for this environment. They have excellent corrosion resistance properties, which is critical when exposed to the aggressive nature of seawater. Additionally, platinum anodes can effectively facilitate electrochemical reactions, making them efficient for cathodic protection systems.

In marine applications, the stability of platinum in saline conditions is essential to ensure the longevity and reliability of the anode. Its inert characteristics prevent the anode from being consumed or deteriorating over time, which is particularly important in preventing corrosion of submerged structures and marine vessels.

Other materials, while used in various contexts of cathodic protection, either do not have the same level of performance in very saline environments or may be more prone to corrosion, making them unsuitable as primary anodes in seawater applications.