As the title says.
Surely it would make more sense environmentally and for the consumer if all batteries we rechargeable.
In: Technology
Non rechargeable batteries produce electricity via a chemical reaction (oxidoreduction) that is not easily reversible. The technology and the materials that can be used are most often cheaper than the ones used for rechargeable batteries. Also, non rechargeable batteries means that you have to keep buying new ones all the time which is essentially better for profit when you sell those same batteries.
rechargeable batteries are usually more expensive than one time use. with rechargeable batteries, you also have to buy a charger.
Non-rechargeable batteries typically contain small amounts of water in the electrolyte paste. When recharging, it is possible that instead of reversing the chemical reaction that produced the electricity you chemically split the water and produce hydrogen gas. This would build up pressure within the battery and cause it to rupture.
Rechargeable batteries prevent this in one of 3 ways:
1. Don’t contain any water
2. Have a catalyst that reforms the hydrogen back into water
3. Are vented (like car batteries)
Rechargeables and non operate off of different chemical processes, one reversible the other not. Nons hold more charge and are cheaper to make.
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