A discussion of moisture diffusion in cement pastes with hydrophobic agent

In February 2022, this journal published the paper Moisture diffusion in cement pastes with hydrophobic agent [1], performing measurements on moisture storage and calculations on moisture transport in cement mortars and pastes, to explain the influence of internal hydrophobation on the moisture imbibition in these materials. This critique however formulates serious concerns on the primary aspects of the paper: it is established that the reliability of the obtained sorption isotherms, pore volume distributions and pore flow resistances is debatable. This discussion therefore invites [1]'s authors to placate these concerns, and when remediation would not be not feasible, to revise their work accordingly.

Automated summary

This paper published in February 2022 discusses moisture storage and transport in cement mortars and pastes, as well as the influence of internal hydrophobation on moisture imbibition. However, serious concerns are raised regarding the reliability of the obtained sorption isotherms, pore volume distributions, and pore flow resistances.