Designing artificial carbon clusters using Ge2Sb2Te5/C superlattice-like structure for phase change applications

•Superlattice-like (SLL) Ge2Sb2Te5/C film was fabricated to suppress the resistance drift and heat loss of the device.•Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations were used to evaluate the evolution of C nanofilms at the atomic scale.•Two-dimensional finite element analysis reveals the suppressed heat dissipation in the programming regions.•The Ge2Sb2Te5/C SLL thin film demonstrates potential for high-performance phase change memory applications.