Methods for the quantification of hydrophilic properties of a porous material, as well as determining a depth of damage of a porous material are disclosed. An example method includes performing a first ellipsometric measurement on the porous material using a first adsorptive having a first wetting angle. The example method further includes performing a second ellipsometric measurement on the porous material using a second adsorptive having a second wetting angle, wherein the first and second wetting angles are different towards the porous material. The hydrophilic properties of the porous material are determined based, at least in part, on the first and second ellipsometric measurements.