The diameter of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) determines the electronic properties of the nanotube. The diameter of carbon nanotubes is dictated by the diameter of the catalyst particle. Here we describe the use of iron nanoparticles synthesized within the Dps protein cage as catalysts for the growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes. The discrete iron particles synthesized within the Dps protein cages when used as catalyst particles gives rise to single-walled carbon nanotubes with a limited diameter distribution.