Carbon deposition is urgent issue for the partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas (POM). To figure out this problem, Ni-Yb/Al2O3 catalysts with different Ni/Yb ratios were prepared. The structural properties and carbon deposition of catalysts were characterized by XRD, TEM, N-2 adsorption, H-2-TPR, NH3-TPD and TG techniques. The addition of Yb increased the dispersibility of Ni species and improved the interaction with support, thus preventing the growth of Ni nanoparticles, which was favorable to reduce coking. More importantly, the acidity of Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was reduced due to addition of Yb, which contributes to improving the carbon balance and inhibiting carbon deposition. The Ni-Yb/Al2O3 catalyst (Ni/Yb = 1) proved to be more active, giving CH4 conversion of 98%, CO selectivity of 98% and H-2 selectivity of 83% (800 degrees C and space velocity of 5 x 10(4) mL g(-1) h(-1)). In addition, the addition of Yb was deduced to facilitate adsorption of CO2 and catalyze methane combustion, which was the first step of POM reaction, thus reducing carbon deposition and improving methane conversion. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.