Adsorptions　of　SO2　on　Al-,　Ca-,　Co-,　Cu-,　Ge-,　Ni-,　and　Si-doped　(8,　0)　boron　nitride　nanotube　(BNNT)　have　been　studied　using　first-principles　approach　based　on　density　functional　theory　in　order　to　exploit　their　potential　applications　as　SO2　gas　sensors.　The　electronic　properties　of　the　BNNT-molecule　adsorption　adducts　are　strongly　dependent　on　the　dopants.　The　most　stable　adsorption　geometries,　adsorption　energies,　charge　transfers,　and　density　of　states　of　these　systems　are　thoroughly　discussed.　This　work　reveals　that　the　sensitivity　of　(8,　0)　BNNT　based　chemical　gas　sensors　for　SO2　can　be　drastically　improved　by　introducing　appropriate　dopant.　Si　is　found　to　be　the　best　choice　among　all　the　dopants.　(C)　2015　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.