| MadSci Network: Engineering |
hi Sajith,
Platinum is often used in electrolysis experiments because it is chemically inert. By inert, we mean that it is not very reactive. When water is electrolysed, hydrogen and hydroxide ions are produced. Both of these are quite reactive and an electrode made from something like iron would react with them, producing iron hydroxide in the case of iron.
You might like to read my answer to a similar question from a few years ago.
Neil
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Engineering.