Articles including multi-component fibers and particles and methods of making and using the same

An article comprising:

• a web of multi-component fibers having external surfaces and comprising at least a first polymeric composition and second polymeric composition, wherein at least a portion of the external surfaces of the multi-component fibers comprises the first polymeric composition, and wherein the multi-component fibers are adhered together and are non-fusing at a temperature of at least 110° C.;
• and
• particles directly attached to the first polymeric composition on the external surfaces of at least some of the multi-component fibers along their lengths, wherein the particles comprise at least one of activated carbon, superabsorbent polymer particles, or abrasive particles, and wherein the particles are distributed throughout the thickness of the web.

A method of making an article, the method comprising:

• providing a mixture of particles and multi-component fibers, the multi-component fibers comprising at least a first polymeric composition and a second polymeric composition, and the particles comprising at least one of activated carbon, superabsorbent polymer particles, or abrasive particles;
• and
• heating the mixture to a temperature at which the multi-component fibers are non-fusing and at which the first polymeric composition has an elastic modulus of less than 3×105 N/m2 when measured at a frequency of one hertz, wherein at least a portion of the mixture becomes adhered together to form a web, and wherein the particles are dispersed throughout the thickness of the web.