As the global need for freshwater rises against the background of a looming water shortage issue, solar desalination appears as a possible option that harnesses the sun’s plentiful energy. The importance of the material’s design and optimization in improving the mechanical performance of solar desalination systems is explored in this research study. The study examines the issues inherent in existing materials and provides creative techniques to improve their efficiency, durability, and overall sustainability via an exhaustive analysis of the current research. The project intends to contribute to the development of resilient, efficient, and environmentally friendly solar desalination systems by focusing on material selection, coatings, and nanomaterial integration. The discoveries provided here have important significance for the field’s advancement, providing a route toward tackling water shortage concerns via the perspective of materials science.