Control of water absorption in concrete materials by modification with hybrid hydrophobic silica particles

•Silica micro-particles were made hydrophobic with n-dodecyl groups.•Concrete modified with hydrophobic particles was endowed with water repellency.•Water contact angles up to 122° were achieved on the derived concrete mortars.•Water absorption was decreased up to 45% on derived concrete mortars.•Hydrophobic particles did not affect the compressive stress resistance of materials.