Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for increasing microcapsule dispersion in self-healing paint and coating applications, and more particularly for non-covalent functionalization of polymeric microcapsule shell walls for improved dispersion in polymeric material formulations. Some embodiments are methods of forming a microcapsule dispersion, the methods including providing a polymeric material capable of forming a plurality of microcapsules; initiating polymerization of the polymeric material under reaction conditions sufficient to permit formation of the plurality of microcapsules; and adding an ethoxy-functionalized dispersant to the polymeric material before formation of the plurality of microcapsules is complete, thereby forming the microcapsule dispersion.