Herein, we synthesized and extracted pure semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs). Moreover, the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, such as saturable absorption, two-photon absorption coefficient, modulation depth and optical limitation, of s-SWCNTs were experimentally determined using a high-energy 1064 nm nanosecond (ns) laser. Compared with the common SWCNTs, the s-SWCNTs demonstrated lower saturation intensity and lower two-photon absorption (TPA) coefficient. The modulation depth of the s-SWCNTs was as high as 8.6%. Based on these parameters, the s-SWCNTs can be used as excellent saturable absorbers in pulsed laser applications.