Non-rechargeable batteries, also known as primary batteries, are designed with a limited amount of active materials in their electrodes. Once all the active materials are consumed, the battery cannot be recharged. This is because non-rechargeable batteries have significantly different chemistries than rechargeable batteries, despite both being based on reversible redox reactions.
On the other hand, rechargeable batteries, or secondary batteries, are designed to be recharged because they contain more active materials in their electrodes that can be replenished when the battery is charged. Rechargeable batteries also have additional layers to protect their active materials from degrading during the charge and discharge process.
Therefore, the fundamental difference between non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries is the amount of active materials contained in the electrodes and their corresponding battery chemistries – which results in the limited use of non-rechargeable batteries.