A method to prepare single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by using a new type o f catalyst is presented. With a certain proportion, cerium oxide (CeO2) and gr aphite powders were mixed. The mixture was then filled into the longitudinal hol es of graphite sticks used as composite graphite electrode. With it as the anode , arc discharge was carried out in He atmosphere. The resultant collected was ob served and analyzed by using HRTEM and Raman spectroscopic analysis, indicating that a large amount of SWNTs with a uniform diameter were close-packed in bundl es and the average diameter of SWNTs was about 120nm—132nm.