Fiber treated with an organic nonpolymeric binder is combined with superabsorbent particles in order to bind the particles to the fiber. The nonpolymeric organic binder comprises binder molecules that include at least one functional group capable of forming a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond with the particles and at least one functional group capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the fiber. The superabsorbent particles have a hydrogen or coordinate covalent bonding functional site. The binder serves to bind the particles to the fiber through formation of hydrogen and/or coordinate covalent bonds.