Abstract: In this paper,the latest progress of SDIE based on the principle of photothermal conversion is reviewed. The photothermal conversion materials,substrates,water transport channels,and salt resistance design for seawater desalination are introduced respectively from the perspectives of performance evaluation indicators and material design ideas. Other scalable application fields of SDIE are also briefly introduced. Finally,the problems to be solved and future research directions of SDIE in seawater desalination are prospected