The reaction performance, catalyst acidity and basicity property. and carbon-deposition of various nickel-supported catalysts for partial oxidation of propane (POP) to syngas were investigated with a flow-reactor, FTIR, TG and UVRRS analyses. The NiO/gamma -Al2O3 catalyst is the most suitable for the POP reaction among NiO/gamma -Al2O3, NiO/MgO and NiO/SiO2. And the reaction performance of the NiO/gamma -Al2O3 shows little difference from those of the nickel-supported catalysts modified by alkali metal oxides and rare-earth metal oxides. However, modification with alkali metal oxide Li2O and rare-earth metal oxide La2O3 can reduce the Lewis acidity intensity of the NiO/gamma -Al2O3 and enhance its ability to suppress carbon-deposition during the POP reaction. The carbon-deposition contains graphite-like species that were detected by UVRRS. The nickel-supported catalysts modified by alkali metal oxides and rare-earth metal oxides possess good reaction performance and carbon-deposition resistance.