There is no reaction between the cementitious matrix and the hydrogel. When added dry, they will absorb part of the mixing water. This entrained water will be used for internal curing which is beneficial for mitigating autogenous shrinkage. Afterwards, the polymers also promote sealing and healing of the material.

You may find some related publications on my ResearchGate profile.

Kind regards

There is no reaction between the cementitious matrix and the hydrogel. When added dry, they will absorb part of the mixing water. This entrained water will be used for internal curing which is beneficial for mitigating autogenous shrinkage. Afterwards, the polymers also promote sealing and healing of the material.

You may find some related publications on my ResearchGate profile.

Kind regards

I agree with Didier Snoeck. also check the composition of your materiel, refer to this article Article Hydrogel: Preparation, characterization, and applications: A review

Follow

Actually, there is chemical reaction between hydrogel and cement. But based on the chemical structure of hydrogel, some chem-physical interaction has been reported on the skin of hydrogel which actually may cause some mechanistic effect on the kinetics of desorption. the chemical interactions on the hydrogel skin can effect on the adhesion of hydrogel on cement matrix which can activate Laplace pressure. You can perhaps find some publications on my ResearchGate profile. Here is one:

Article Desorption of superabsorbent hydrogels with varied chemical ...

Also there is another chemical interaction which occurs due to high pH level, Hydrolysis, this is extensively reported previously not just in cementitious material but in lots of other applications that hydrogel have. One major effect of hydrolysis is change in the stiffness of hydrogel.