Embodiments of a display device including barrier layer coated quantum dots and a method of making the barrier layer coated quantum dots are described. Each of the barrier layer coated quantum dots includes a core-shell structure and a hydrophobic barrier layer disposed on the core-shell structure. The hydrophobic barrier layer is configured to provide a distance between the core-shell structure of one of the quantum dots with the core-shell structures of other quantum dots that are in substantial contact with the one of the quantum dots. The method for making the barrier layer coated quantum dots includes forming reverse micro-micelles using surfactants and incorporating quantum dots into the reverse micro-micelles. The method further includes individually coating the incorporated quantum dots with a barrier layer and isolating the barrier layer coated quantum dots with the surfactants of the reverse micro-micelles disposed on the barrier layer.