The analysis of interactions in a system of clay particles in terms of classical DLVO interactions seems an over simplication, especially because of the fact that the clay particles are “patchy” – that is – the rim and the face are differently charged. In such cases one has to worry about orientation dependent interactions in asymmetrically charged anisotropic colloids. How does one visualize a double layer in such cases? Would the screening of the double layer be different in different directions? Do you include Faraday Discussions Discussions Faraday Discuss. the contribution of Na+ ions that dissociate from clay particles into the calculation of the Debye screening length?